My friend insisted that this is what she wanted. We picked out several long-lasting annuals that do well in containers.

She bought petunias, salvias, star flowers, geraniums, and begonias. The white flowers were pretty, but I felt they needed color. I did talk her into buying some greens to plant in the pots with the white flowers.

We brought the flowers to her house and I helped her transplant the small plants into the containers. This was in the spring of the year.

We live about eighty miles apart so we do not get to each other’s home very often. We usually meet midway between our homes when we get together.

I asked her often how the planters were coming along. Her answer was always that they were growing. In mid-July, I stopped to see my friend at her house. I could not believe it when I walked up to her doorstep.

Added Red for contrast

The white flowers were beautiful and were growing very well. In the middle of each pot, the white geraniums were replaced with a vibrant red one. The combination was great.

My friend had an additional surprise for me in the house. She had bought red accent pillows for the living room as well as some red glass pieces.

In the bathroom, she decorated with red towels and rugs. In contrast to the white tiles, the white bathtub, and the white spa. All the taps and hoses were also red. The splash of color made the rooms appear warmer and more welcoming.

My friend said that the white flowers helped her make the decision to add some color. The flowers were beautiful, but no one noticed them because they blended into their background.

The red color caught people’s attention, and then the entire pot was admired. There were more red and white flowers put around outside the house and in the garden areas.

There is a new beautiful vegetable garden with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and cabbages. They have included a number of fruit trees, including apple and pear trees. They like to eat their own products and do not use any chemicals to kill insect pests.

If there are any annoying infestations, they contact the local organic nursery and are advised of procedures to repeal the infestations naturally, without chemicals.